What temperature range, typically around 95 degrees Fahrenheit, was adopted in the 1920s to accelerate sludge digestion?
Answer
Mesophilic range
The shift toward heated digestion in the 1920s and 1930s marked a significant leap in engineering efficiency. By maintaining temperatures in the mesophilic range, typically around 95 degrees Fahrenheit or 35 degrees Celsius, engineers could drastically accelerate the biological rate of digestion. This innovation reduced the retention time required for sludge stabilization from months down to weeks. Consequently, plants were able to process much higher volumes of wastewater within the same physical footprint, addressing the growing needs of urban populations.
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